Can anyone recommend some good medieval fictions books/series? I'm currently reading a history of the crusades and would like some fiction along with it. I'm up to date on the song of ice and fire, and I love The Once and Future King. I enjoyed The Eye of the Dragon by Stephen King, as well. What else is out there?

IbtRingers

Parcival and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight if you want actual Medieval literature from the Middle Ages.

The Once and Future King & The Book of Merlyn by T.H. White
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (not a fan of the sequel. World Without End)
The Mist of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Beowulf and Canterbury Tales are about all of the medieval fiction I know of.

You could go Arthurian lit. Green knight. Etc.

Maybe Don quixoti.

Thanks for the input, the other T.H. White novel and the Avalon one intrigue me, along with other Arthurian legend books. Might give the pillars one a chance at a later time.

I read that recently as well. I liked it overall, however I felt like their time back there went too quickly. I would have liked for them to have a week over there, more time to try and blend in, get food and shelter, etc.

I loved Pillars of the Earth.

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I enjoyed Timeline by Michael Crighton

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The book was great. The movie was terrible.

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I loved Pillars of the Earth.

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+1

The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. Edit: it's probably set earlier than you are thinking because it is Arthurian but I really liked it

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I enjoyed Timeline by Michael Crighton

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The book was great. The movie was terrible.

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Agree. Not a fan of Paul Walker being the lead

OP did you ever check out Patrick Rothfuss' The Kingkiller Chronicles, like I told you?!

No? Were we drinking when you suggested them?

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I enjoyed Timeline by Michael Crichton

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The book was great. The movie was terrible.

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Agree. Not a fan of Paul Walker being the lead

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Agree and agree and agree

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No? Were we drinking when you suggested them?

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No, it was via text back when we were both reading ASOIAF.

I thought the Heaven Tree trilogy (Edith Pargeter) was far, far better than Pillars of the Earth, and is one of my all-time favorites.

It's late Medieval, and not really fiction, but The Sunne in Splendor by Sharon Kay Penman is just an outstanding book about the last years of the Wars of the Roses, and Kings Edward IV and Richard III. Although the subject matter and main characters are historical, it's a novel, and very well done - I know how it ends because I'm a history buff and was still spellbound, and the less you know about 15th century England the more exiting the plot twists will be. Reminded me a lot of ASOIAF without any magical elements - the political intrigue and warfare are first rate (and yes I know that that Martin has made intentional parallels with the War of the Roses and ASOIAF).

Really a great book. And I also highly recommend Pillars of the Earth and Timeline.

The Lies of Locke Lamora


not truly medieval, but one of the best books I've ever read. Think Ocean's 11, but in a fantasy world. And way more badass.

I enjoyed Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy series if your into the Knights Templar. They fit in if you are reading up on the Crusades.

Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles are awesome. Jack Whyte's Camulod Chronicles is a great take on the Arthur legends.

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Bernard Cornwell

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while his stories are a little formulaic, this guy can write. i got introduced to him bc "The Archer's Tale" had a cool cover graphic or something real substantial like that. ended up flying through that book and the rest of the series - then most of his other books. its excellent plane ride material. i also like that you pick up a little history in addition to a good story. lots of good trivia in them
- st. guinefort? who'd have thunk there was a dog that's a saint?
- the longbow? talk about a badass, under appreciated weapon... mildly depressed you need to get on that thing as a 4 year old to make any use of it...

Have really enjoyed the Sharon Kay Penman books. Does great job of researching. As close to non fiction as can get, but read like fiction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Kay_Penman

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The Lies of Locke Lamora


not truly medieval, but one of the best books I've ever read. Think Ocean's 11, but in a fantasy world. And way more badass.

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These are excellent, although they are technically fantasy. I hope you have read the next two books in the Gentlemen ******* Sequence as well. They only get better.

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The Lies of Locke Lamora


not truly medieval, but one of the best books I've ever read. Think Ocean's 11, but in a fantasy world. And way more badass.

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These are excellent, although they are technically fantasy. I hope you have read the next two books in the Gentlemen ******* Sequence as well. They only get better.

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Of course! I am almost finished with my re-read of Republic of Thieves. can't wait for The Thorn of Emberlain. Should be out this year!

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I enjoyed Jack Whyte's Templar Trilogy series if your into the Knights Templar. They fit in if you are reading up on the Crusades.

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Was going to suggest the same thing. Order in Chaos was great.

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The Lies of Locke Lamora


not truly medieval, but one of the best books I've ever read. Think Ocean's 11, but in a fantasy world. And way more badass.

---

These are excellent, although they are technically fantasy. I hope you have read the next two books in the Gentlemen ******* Sequence as well. They only get better.

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Of course! I am almost finished with my re-read of Republic of Thieves. can't wait for The Thorn of Emberlain. Should be out this year!

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I hope so. I don't want to go through a 6 year drought if Lynch has another nervous breakdown like he did between Lies and Red Seas.

Joe Abercrombie is a great low fantasy type series. I really love his gritty books.

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Abercrombie/e/B001JP7WJC/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1422586275&sr=1-2-ent